*I have been dating my boyfriend for almost 5 months now. Things have been going great - we get along really well, have met each others' parents, spent the holidays together, etc. Should I be worried that he hasn't said "I love you" yet? Should I say it first so he doesn't have to worry about it, or would that put too much pressure on him?

*Do you love him? If you do, why not go ahead and say it? If the feelings are there then you're being honest and no one can fault your for it.

I mean, I don't think people should say it after date 3, when he does something totally unexpected and wonderful. That's craziness. But generally I don't put time frames on these things.

I think the saying I love you thing is made into a "thing" by our own minds, books, movies and Gilmore Girls. Yes it may add some pressure, but it doesn't have to change anything. As long as he has a good reason for not saying it back, which may happen, you should be able to deal.

To play devil's advocate, I know I've fouled up taking my own advice here. I have felt in love with a GF before, and said so (over a nice night out together), but I wasn't ready for what those 3 words meant the morning after. At the time, those feelings were there, so I went with them, but they weren't consistent feelings, and I paid for it (later, when she accused me of "messing with her" she had grounds to).

What do you guys think? Say "I love you" as soon as you feel it, or keep it to yourself?

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